The Crash

by Freida McFadden

My husband is not a violent man by nature, but that rule doesn’t apply when it comes to protecting me.

How do you know what’s right or wrong without your mother telling you so?

He used to love me. Before I lost my mind. Ever since then, he hasn’t looked at me the same way. He doesn’t look at me like I’m the most wonderful human being he’s ever met, that’s for sure. We stay together out of habit now. It was up to me to make our family complete, and I failed miserably.

I can’t believe my own brother would do something like that to me. I have never felt so alone in my entire life.

“I love you, Hank,” I say. “I love you too, Polly.” His deep voice breaks. “More than anything.” And then I rest my head against his big, broad chest, and he puts his arm around my shoulders, holding me tightly like everything he cares about is right here in the truck, in the seat next to him. Every pore of his body radiates love for me.

I still don’t understand how he could’ve done that to me. I loved Dennis more than anyone else in the world. I thought he felt the same way about me. It was the kind of betrayal that you can never bounce back from.

I’m not in any rush, but maybe my love life isn’t completely over.